Adjustable-handle wrench



Feb. 17, 1931. O LOOFT 1,792,850

ADJUSTABLE HANDLE WRENCH Filed NOV. 25. 1929 INVENTOR 0&0 Loaft/ BY ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 17 1931 UNITEDTSTAT'ES OTTO LQQFT, F TRACY, CALIFORNIA 2 ADJUSTABLE-HANDLE Wanner:

' Application filed November 23,1929. Serial No. 409,291.

This invention relates to wrenches, and particularly to those of the open ended or so-called solid type as wellas to those of the adjustable jaw or crescent type. V

The principal object of my invention is to provide a wrench of this general character so constructed that the handle may be adj usted relative to the plane of turning of the wrench and held at any adjusted position.

This enables the jaws of the wrench to squarely engage a nut while enabling the handle to be moved out of the plane of the jaws as may be necessary on account of the relative inaccessibility of the nut or on account of obstructions, in front of the same. On account of my improved construction the handle may be adjusted so as to avoid any such obstructions, without the necessity of having to use a number of wrenches alternately in removing any one nut, as is sometimes necessary with the one piece or solid construction wrenches as at presentused. My improved wrench is therefore more universally adaptable for all-around servlce than is the present type of wrench.

A further object of the invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive device and yet one which will be exceedingly eiiective for the purpose for which it is designed.

so These objects I accomplish by means of such structure and relative arrangement of.

parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claim.

In the drawings similar characters 01": reference indicate corresponding parts in the several views:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view'of my improved wrench.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same showing the handle in its normal position.

Fig. 3 is a similar view partly in section showing'the handle as set at an angle to the aws. 1 Referring now more particularly to the characters of reference on the drawings, the numeral 1 denotes the jaw member of the wrench having an opening 2 in its outer end shaped as usual to conform to the nut. At the back or oppositeto the opening the memher 1 is provided with spaced ears 3 between which the adjacent end of the flathandle 4 projects, and which is pivoted to the cars by apin 5. Said pin of course extends parallel to the face of the member 1 or transversely of the opening, so thatthe handle may be turned soas'to assume an angle to the plane of turning ofthe jaw-member. The aw and handle members are arranged adjacent the hinge with suitable means asat 6-, so that they may freely turn relative to each other only in one direction from a position in which said members are longitudinally alined with each other. f i 7 Projecting outwardly from the member 1- from the face thereof toward which the handle can turn is alug 7, to which one'end of a longitudinallyextending screw 8 is pivoted. This screw extends over the pivotal joint and over the adjacent portion of the handle lengthwise thereof and is threaded toward its free end; a thumb nut 9 being mounted on the threaded portion. The nut is turnably confined between the longitudinally spaced ears of a yoke 10 which is partially seated in a recess 11 in the handle and is pivoted onto the handle by a pin 12 extending transversely of said handle or parallel to the pin 5.

By means of this arrangement it will be seen that the jaw member'may be maintained square with the nut while the handle is adjusted, by manipulating the nut 9 so as to dispose the handle at any desired angle within certain limits, relative to the jaw memher. At the same time the handle when thus adjusted is held rigid with the jaw member so that the necessary pressure may be exerted on the tool without the danger of the handle slipping or moving from its adjusted position.

The hinged end of the handle 4 is cut so as to have tongue and groove engagement with the member 1, as indicated in Fig. 1, so that the rigidity of the handle and jaw members, in a wrench turning direction, is insured or aided by the engaging surfaces of the said members, without depending entirely on the pivotal pin 5.

While I haveshown the jaw member as being solid, it will be evident that an adjustable jaw head may be employed in connection with the adjustable handle arrangement equally well. Also, While I have particularly shown and described my improved adjusting structure as being incorporated in a Wrench, it will be evident that its uses are not limited to wrenches, but that it is applicable to any tool in which adjustment of the handle relative to the work engaging element of the tool may be desirable.

From the foregoing description it will readily seen that I have produced such a device as substantially fulfills the objects of the invention as set forth herein. 1

While this specification sets forth in de tail the present and preferred construction of the device, still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted toas do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention, as defined bythe appended claim.

Having thus described my invention what I claimas new and useful and desire to secure by Letters Patent is In a tool having separate handle and work engaging members, pivot means between said members, a screw extending over the joint between the members at right angles to the pivot, a transverse swivel connection between one end of the screw and one member to prevent longitudinal movement and rotation 01 the screw, a thumb-nut on the screw, a yoke between the sides of which the ends of the nut are confined, and, a swivel connection between the yoke and the other member disposed transversely of the same andof the screw.

In testimony whereof I aflix mv signature.

OTTO 'Loorr. 

